Chapter 13: Wrapping Up and Signing

As the filming progressed, Wei Jin also found his state bit by bit; several cameo scenes were all passed in one take.

By the way, the few actors who made cameos were all invited by Zhang Jiandong; their screen time was minimal, and the requirements for acting skills were not high.

This day, Zhang Jiandong also took time to come and visit the set. After observing for a while, he couldn't help but nod: "This kid has something in him."

Taking advantage of a break, Wei Jin came over to greet his teacher:

"Teacher Zhang, you've come?"

"Hmm, nothing much going on today, so I came to take a look. By the way, how is the filming going?"

Wei Jin glanced at Qin Hao, who was adjusting his state to the side, and said: "I originally wanted to try a long take, but it's a bit unrealistic. Fortunately, the progress is good. Hmm, Qin Hao is a dedicated actor; we've already filmed about half."

"Good fellow, you even wanted a long take?"

Zhang Jiandong was greatly shocked upon hearing this.

"Isn't the filming too fast? It's only been a few days, and a film aiming for awards is already half done?"

"Hmm, mainly because my visual concepts are all in my head, and the crew is cooperating quite well."

Of course, Wei Jin couldn't tell him that he was just copying others' work.

The film shooting continued. In the camera, a gray-white color of hypoxia appeared on Qin Hao's face, his hand movements never stopped, and his brain was spinning at high speed.

Wei Jin could see that Qin Hao had entered the state, and the state was excellent.

If he could maintain this performance state, perhaps the filming time could be shortened even further.

Half an hour later, an exhausted Qin Hao was helped out by staff members, his eyelids drooping as he asked: "Director, is this take okay?"

"Very good, keep it up; you might just win an award."

"Really? I'd be satisfied just to be nominated. I need to go sleep for a bit, my head hurts a little."

"Hmm, go ahead."

This movie was filmed too quickly; most of the scenes were in a coffin, and the lead actor was indeed very desperate, not wasting much time.

Ceng Li hadn't come to 501 for several days, only saying on the phone that she was keeping her best friend Hu Jing company.

Wei Jin was also focused entirely on his debut film and didn't think much of it, only assuming that Li Jie and Hu Jing had a deep friendship.

The film's shooting was very smooth and very fast, to the point that Wei Jin felt a sense of unreality. Is it ending already? My first film is so fast, won't I be called a "quick-draw"?

When the entire crew looked at Wei Jin, waiting for him to speak, he woke up from his trance.

"I announce, *Buried* is officially wrapped. Thank you all for your hard work during this time."

"Yay, it's a wrap!"

As Wei Jin's voice fell, the three-week shoot of *Buried* came to a complete end, and the crew was filled with jubilation.

Qin Hao walked toward Wei Jin, looking slightly unnatural:

"Director, thank you for giving me this opportunity. This film has taught me a lot; it's very special."

"Brother Hao, you're too kind. This collaboration was very pleasant; let's work together again if there's a chance."

Wei Jin also had a very good impression of Qin Hao.

"Director, don't worry. From now on, whenever you give the word, I'll be there at your beck and call."

Qin Hao patted his chest and promised.

"Easier said than done. I'll be focusing on post-production these next few days. The school's vice dean has already contacted a selector. You come along and take a look when the time comes. If it gets selected, you'll have to go to Berlin with me in February."

"No problem, I'll be waiting for your call at any time."

Qin Hao was very happy. If he could really go to Berlin, it would definitely be a great thing for him.

"Uh, Brother Hao, for the sake of caution, I suggest you go talk to a psychologist to ensure you haven't developed any mental issues."

Wei Jin reminded him.

"Okay, I will go. I also feel a bit awkward myself."

Qin Hao had long-term experience rehearsing stage plays, so he had had such experiences before.

In the evening, Wei Jin still booked two tables for a banquet and held a simple wrap party.

During the banquet, Wei Jin expressed his gratitude to the two teachers for their great help and showed great respect to the several senior fellow students who came to help.

Jiang Wei had contributed a great deal to compressing the film's cost so low, and the several senior fellow students had helped out of friendship; Wei Jin had to acknowledge this favor.

After twenty-some days of getting along, the teachers and senior fellow students also looked at Wei Jin with new eyes, and they exchanged phone numbers.

After much clinking of glasses, both host and guests were happy.

The crew life came to an end. Wei Jin spent every day focusing on post-production, which was done at the school—for no other reason than to save money. Ceng Li still hadn't returned, and Wei Jin had already sensed that something was wrong, but he was temporarily unable to spare the time.

This afternoon, Wei Jin received a call from Huang Bai, inviting him to meet and chat. The two hadn't seen each other for a while.

Seeing that the post-production progress was smooth, Wei Jin was happy to take a break, so he put down his work and gladly went to the appointment.

After National Day, with the explosion in popularity of *Who Do You Really Love*, Huang Bai also received constant invitations, and his market value climbed step by step.

By now, a single commercial performance was quoted at 50,000, so during this period, Huang Bai was frantically raking in money, to the point where he was almost vomiting from singing.

"Old Wei, you say I'm an amateur Singer, and yet I've become this popular. I even feel it's unreal."

Huang Bai looked full of pride.

"It's mainly because my song is popular; at most, you count as an add-on."

Wei Jin retorted sharply, "It would be about the same if someone else came to sing it."

Ever since they drank together last time, the two had a good relationship.

"So I'm looking for you this time because I want to ask for your opinion: should I continue being a Singer, or should I persist in my dream?"

Huang Bai stated his purpose; he had been feeling lost recently.

It was true; 50,000 per commercial performance. In this short month, he had already raked in over a million, though Wei Jin had to take half.

"Why can't you have both? Children make multiple-choice questions; adults want everything."

Wei Jin analyzed, "But Old Huang, actually, based purely on your appearance, neither path is advantageous."

In fact, Huang Bai has already participated in many movies and television dramas, but most were small supporting roles that didn't make much of a splash; Wei Jin, however, felt that he simply hadn't found the path suitable for himself yet.

"I know too, my appearance isn't great, I have no money and no connections, I can only wait for a noble person to help me."

Huang Bai wore a fawning expression.

"Are you trying to latch onto me?"

Wei Jin finally understood the purpose of Huang Bai inviting him out.

"Don't say that, what 'latch onto' or not, that sounds so unpleasant; it's 'help,' 'help'."

Huang Bai had thought it through long ago; Wei Jin was a director and could write songs, wasn't he the best noble person to help him develop in both fields?

"Don't you have a Studio? Sign me, and this brother will work his life away for you; if you point east, I won't go west."

The dagger was finally revealed; this was also the reason why he hadn't agreed when a record company had previously prepared to sign him.

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Wei Jin was also stunned by Huang Bai's flashy maneuver, because he had never thought about changing Huang Bai's fate; this guy would become famous sooner or later.

However, Huang Bai's suggestion also stirred Wei Jin's heart; if nothing else, for many ringtone songs, should he find a tool person?

"Have you really thought it through? If you sign, you'll have to work for me and accept being exploited."

"Thought it through, isn't it just working my life away? To complain even once about the hardship would be a sign of disrespect to the boss."

Seeing that Wei Jin had relented, Huang Bai began to joke around.

The two chatted about some more details and then finalized the matter.

The formal signing matters would have to wait until Wei Jin set up the framework of the Studio, as it was currently just an empty shell for operating copyrights.

Through the connections of the old Beijing tool person Shen Haobo, Wei Jin rented two offices.

He hired a frustrated Agent to be assigned to Huang Bai, and then hired a receptionist to be responsible for answering phones; Wei Jin Fengliu Studio was officially established.

The contract with Huang Bai was signed quite smoothly, as neither of them were the type to be overly calculating.

The management contract was a 30/70 split, with Wei Jin taking seventy percent; the contract was for five years, with the split to be adjusted annually.

The main thing was that the copyrights for the songs all belonged to Wei Jin, and Huang Bai was currently just a singing tool person.

Regarding this, Huang Bai was still satisfied; at the very least, he had a long-term meal ticket.

Wei Jin was not stingy either, and brought out a few more hit ringtone songs from his memory for Huang Bai.

With this, Wei Jin Fengliu Studio had its first signed artist.

Having settled the Studio's affairs, Wei Jin began to prepare to resolve matters at home.

A newbie author writing a book for the first time, begging on my knees for collections, follows, reading updates, and recommendations, thank you everyone. Today is the author's birthday, I shamelessly ask everyone to help promote it, thank you.

(End of this chapter)